Bayesian Yacht Captain Faces Investigation: Report

By Jason Hall

August 26, 2024

Bayesian yacht accident
Photo: Getty Images

The captain of the Bayesian superyacht that crashed and resulted in the deaths of seven people is reportedly under investigation, Reuters reported, citing multiple Italian media outlets.

James Cutfield, 51, of New Zealand, is under investigation for manslaughter and shipwreck in relation to the incident, though the investigation doesn't imply guilt nor mean Cutfield will be formally charged. The probe was launched after the captain was interrogated for a second time, according to Reuters.

The 56-meter Bayesian yacht was struck by a tornado at around 5:00 a.m. local time on Monday when the vessel was anchored about a half mile from the port of Porticello. The body suspected to be that of Hannah Lynch, the 18-year-old daughter of British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and the final missing person in relation to the sunken Bayesian super yacht, was found on Friday (August 23), Reuters reported at the time.

The body of Mike Lynch, 59, was located on Thursday (August 22), while Hannah was reported to still be missing, after a previous conflicting report claiming both were found earlier in the rescue operation, sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to Reuters at the time. Italian media reports shared prior to Thursday claimed that the tech tycoon and his daughter were already found during rescue operation efforts.

“We would need a crystal ball to know when we’ll be able to find the next body,” said Luca Cari, spokesperson for the fire rescue service.

“It’s very difficult to move inside the wreckage. Moving just one meter can take up to 24 hours,” Cari added.

The body of on-ship chef Ricardo Thomas was the first to be located in relation to the Bayesian vessel. Americans Christopher and Neda Morvillo, as well as Jonathan and Judy Bloomer, were also found dead in the search.

Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, and 14 others, including a 1-year-old, on the yacht at the time managed to escape before the vessel was capsized. Lynch invited the group on his yacht to celebrate his acquittal in a recent major U.S. fraud trial, with guests including lawyers from the firm that represented him, as well as other friends and allies.

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